UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's basketball team fell to the Nazareth College Golden Flyers 91-69 on Tuesday evening.
 
Utica's scoring was very balanced as three players reached double figures. Hannah Stack (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) led the way for the Pioneers with 12 points and nine rebounds and was able to consistently get to the free throw line. Kimberly Soriano (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy Memorial) poured in 11 points and Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) scored 10 points on 2-for-4 shooting from beyond the arc. McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) scored nine points with three rebounds and two assists. Julia Rotando (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) filled the stat sheet as she recorded six points, four rebounds, five assists, and a team-leading four steals.
 
The Pioneers defense continued to clog passing lanes as the team forced 17 Nazareth turnovers. This led to 15 points off turnovers and eight fast break points. Utica had an incredible 42 points in the paint and the team was able to effectively get the ball into the post and convert its layups and short range jumpshots. The team's 13 steals were led by Julia Rotando (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) with a season-high four, Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and Kelsey Carter (Shamong, NJ/Seneca) each recorded two, and McKenzie Simmons (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook), Hope Halvarson (Cranston, RI/Cranston East), Haley Burchhardt (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont), Emma Puleri (Lee, MA/Lee Middle and High School), and Cristina Negron (Easthampton, MA/Williston Northampton) all had one.
 
Nazareth struck first, yet Utica held a 4-2 edge after a pair of layups by Simmons. The teams exchanged leads before the Golden Flyers opened a 21-8 lead. The Pioneers continued to fight and trailed 24-12 after one quarter of play.
 
A three pointer by Burchhardt at the beginning of the second frame cut the lead to 24-15. The team continued to exchange buckets and a Halvarson layup made the score 45-31 with two minutes left to play in the quarter. The defenses tightened up and did not allow another point in the first half.
 
Utica came out firing and baskets by Stack, DeMarco, and Rotando cut the lead to just seven one minute into the quarter. The Pioneers kept battling and trailed 48-42 halfway through the third quarter yet a late Nazareth run helped the team take a 67-52 edge into the fourth quarter. Utica put together a few scoring runs, yet Nazareth held on to secure a 91-69 victory.
 
Utica (8-11, 3-9 Empire 8) will remain home and host Keuka College on Saturday, February 4 at 2 p.m.